Geophagus Proximus

[Lilyann]

Does anyone have any experience raising geophagus proximus?
I have found little online regarding this variety of geophagus -- it appears relatively rare?
From what I have read online they grow to be around 8 inches, is that correct?

I was wondering if you could tell me the numbers I should stock if I went with this geophagus.
Tank size: 180 gallon (72 x 24 x 25)
Picture of tank:

Right now my stock is:

13 Phenacogrammus aurantiacus "Lamp-Eye' Congo Tetras
8 Brochis splendens "Emerald Green Cory"

I am considering adding:
18 Hyphessobrycon cf. pulchripinnis "Orange Lemon Tetras" ( next week)

Also considering, but in January, when take more established:
5 Altum Angels

With the above stock in mind... would 5 geophagus proximus work or tank too small/ stock too large?
I am a bit hesitant about the Altum Angels with the geophagus--- definitely will scratch adding them if not compatible..
Thank you for any input you can give.

 

[neutrino]

Haven't kept proximus, so can't say much about their size, etc., but I can say I've kept angels and a couple types of geos (red head Tapajos, altifrons) together at various times and they worked well for me. Had one tank with red head geos, guinacara (not a geo, but similar) large, wild Peru angels, and rotkeil sevs and the only issue was the guianacara getting pushy with the red heads, so eventually I moved the guianacara, but everyone else got along well for me.

 

[Lilyann]

Thank you!

 

[Lilyann]

Haven't kept proximus, so can't say much about their size, etc., but I can say I've kept angels and a couple types of geos (red head Tapajos, altifrons) together at various times and they worked well for me. Had one tank with red head geos, guinacara (not a geo, but similar) large, wild Peru angels, and rotkeil sevs and the only issue was the guianacara getting pushy with the red heads, so eventually I moved the guianacara, but everyone else got along well for me.

What do you think of the stocking level? Do you think too many fish?
Is five Altums sound okay for this tank with 5 geophagus?

 

[neutrino]

What do you think of the stocking level? Do you think too many fish?
Is five Altums sound okay for this tank with 5 geophagus?

I would think no problem in a 180, would make a nice tank.

 

[ryansmith83]

G. proximus shouldn’t be much different in terms of behavior or husbandry from other surinamensoid-type geos. Clean water, good food, soft substrate.

 

[Lilyann]

G. proximus shouldn’t be much different in terms of behavior or husbandry from other surinamensoid-type geos. Clean water, good food, soft substrate.

Thank You! I raise discus as well so they will be getting at least 2 x 50% percent water changes a week when I change the water on my adult discus tank. If that is not enough i will certainly add another large change in there.
I will be making a homemade cichlid mix for feeding and will also supplement with NLS cichlid pellet. Substrate is Caribsea Crystal River.
Do you have any thoughts on the stocking density? What are your thoughts of the Altums- do you foresee any issues?

 

[ryansmith83]

A good friend is keeping a group of six G. sveni and 10 altums in a 240 right now with no issues, other than the fact that sveni are very aggressive eaters. Just make sure the altums are getting enough food.

 

[Lilyann]

A good friend is keeping a group of six G. sveni and 10 altums in a 240 right now with no issues, other than the fact that sveni are very aggressive eaters. Just make sure the altums are getting enough food.

Wow! I would love to see that tank. Thanks for your help...

 

[Lilyann]

It just occurred to me, maybe it would be better to add the 5 Altum Angels before adding the geophagus to tank.
what do you think??
I have heard it mentioned that you should add the less aggressive species first, let them get established, then add the more aggressive species.

I was considering waiting to add them later because this tank is newly cycled, but I have confidence that I can keep ammonia and nitrites at 0 and nitrates below 10ppm. I figure if I can handle discus in a newly cycled tank I should be able to handle acclimating and maintaining the requirements for Altums.
But, maybe that reasoning leaves something out that I am not considering...